Page 22 of Bride for the Mountain Man

Even though the events that led me here are hazy, I know without a shadow of a doubt that Connor did everything he could to protect me. Did I like that he kept the fact my stepmother was coming for me that day a secret? No, not really. But he’d done it so that our wedding wouldn’t be clouded with worry. It had been a magical day, even if the after-party was a bummer.

“You can’t think like that. I’m here. I’m okay. And it’s all because of you. I may have gotten hurt, but youdidprotect me. You made sure I got here, got help.”

“You were shot, Ivy.”

“And I’m fine. It will be kind of cool to have a scar. I’m a badass like you now.”

“But I didn’t stop—”

“Connor, no one was going to stop Rina. No matter how much you and Cohen planned for her arrival, that woman was so enraged no one could have predicted her next move.” He remains silent, only lowering his head to rest on the top of mine. I feel a light kiss.

“I love you, Connor. You are my best friend. My fiercest supporter. My protector and husband. No matter what happens, no matter what else life throws at us, I don’t see any of that changing.”

“Damn straight,” he grunts from above me, making me chuckle then hiss at the pain. “I love you too, Ivy. You showing up at my doorstep in a hideous wedding dress was the best thing that ever happened to me.”

“Same, mountain man, same.”

“She’s awake!” a voice cheers from the other end of the room. I smile as I see Katrina skip into the room with coffees and a teddy bear dressed in a blue plaid top. The irony is not lost on me and I have to stifle my laughs. “How are you feeling?”

“Okay,” I say, leaning heavier into Connor. I’m tired but don’t want to go back to sleep just yet.

Behind Katrina, Lennox and Cohen follow.

“We’re twins now,” Katrina says, handing over a paper cup to Connor. He tries to hold very still as he sips the strong-smelling brew but the bed does shake a bit with his movements.

“How the hell are you twins?” Cohen asks, the look on his face completely unimpressed.

“Fine, maybe not twins but we’re scar buddies. I got mine when danger came calling on the mountainside. And now you have one too.”

“Little thief, that’s not something that’s good.”

“And not something that we want repeated for a third time,” Connor chimes in.

“Third time?”

All eyes turn to Cohen.

“Why the fuck are you all looking at me?”

“You’re the last man standing, brother.”

“That’s not fucking happening. I’m happy alone and not looking to change that.”

“Famous last words,” I say through a large yawn, grinning when everyone chuckles.

Tilting my head so I can see Connor’s sparkling blue eyes, I press a gentle kiss on his lips. “I love you,” I whisper for only his ears. “The last week has been a wild ride, but I’m so happy the winding path led me to you.”

“I love you too, angel,” he utters in my ear.

I’m reminded of the moment when I told him till death do us part. The memory causes me to grin, even though that’s not really true anymore. I will love this man until the end of time with everything I can.

“Forever,” I say, feeling my chest get tight with joyful emotion.

“And always.”

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